Man gets 18 months with hard labour for theft of mobile phone

44-YEAR-OLD man of Masala township in Ndola has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour by the Ndola Magistrate’s Court for stealing a cell phone and K200 cash.
Magistrate Ben Akende on Thursday last week convicted Davies Kabwe, 44, of house number 37, after he pleaded guilty to theft.
The offence is contrary to Section 276(a) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
“I have heard your mitigation and I take note that you are a first offender who readily admitted the charge. I sentence you to nine months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from January 6, 2014” Mr Akende said.
Particulars of the offence are that Kabwe on December 11, last year, in Kitwe, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, stole a cell phone and K200 cash from Obed Sinkala altogether worth K570.
Kabwe told the court that he stole the money from Mr Sinkala because he wanted to use it to solve some personal problems.
In mitigation, Kabwe asked the court to exercise leniency on him because his wife is deceased and he is the one who takes care of his two children
Facts before court were that on the material day around 23.00 hours, Mr Sinkala was on his way home from work when he met a group of five people who disguised themselves as police officers.
The court heard that the men ordered him to lie down and searched him.
The court heard that the men got away with Mr Sinkala’s cell phone and money and told him to run for his life.
Some passersby witnessed the attack and and Kabwe was apprehended while his four accomplices escaped.

Source